Declutter in the New Year

The new year is a great time to clear out your home, and many of us use this time to rid ourselves of the Christmas waste hangover. But, what may be a fresh start for you could be the end of the road for your waste and the items you dump.

At ReGen we recommend taking a few minutes to ensure your waste is properly disposed of and that you recycle as much as possible. A fresh start in 2019 could help you become a greener person and give the earth a fresh chance too.

Access your waste.

Don't be tempted to fill bags of rubbish in your home with all different waste types, recyclable or otherwise. If you are to have any success in clearing your home in the greenest possible manner; you will need to take a room by room or even cupboard by cupboard approach. Rushing your clear out will only make for a more complex and time-consuming task.

This guide is great for knowing what can and what can't be recycled on a room by room basis.

Tools for the job.

Selecting the right cleaning product is vitally important, especially for the earth. The longterm effects of aggressive, toxic cleaning products can be damaging for the residents of a home and the surrounding environment. The health argument can help discourage people from using artificial cleaners because they can trigger asthma attacks and affect those with breathing conditions or allergies. From an eco point of view, changing to natural cleaning products can help undo the imbalance created by bleaches, detergents and more.

A dirty appliance may be an inefficient one. Dishwashers and washing machines should be cleaned at least once a month to ensure they are working efficiently as possible. Inefficient, poorly-maintained machines won't work to their full capacity, plus they will cost more to run as they begin to slow down over time. Now may also be the time to consider making changes to help you save more in 2019 by using smarter appliances in your home.

At the beginning of the winter, ReGen explored the benefits of installing smart meters in the home. Read more here.

Where to recycle?

If you are having a big clear out in 2019, be sure to check local recycling centres and ensure you arrange collections for larger items. Find your local centre here, using Recycle Now's helpful tool which allows you to choose the correct location based on what material you have.